JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Three children are dead, and several others are critically injured after a devastating house fire in Mandarin Wednesday morning, but the community is rallying behind the family.
All family members were recently discharged from the hospital, but the Manati family’s loved ones are now asking for community support as surviving members recover.
“It’s really a nightmare,” said Alessia Firi, a cousin of the family.
Firefighters say the fire was reported at 5:13 a.m. Wednesday at a home off Windergate Drive near Old St. Augustine Road.
Crews arrived to find heavy fire on the first floor and heavy smoke on the second.
Two adults had already escaped with two children before firefighters arrived.
Loved ones are remembering the Manati family, whose lives were forever changed by an early-morning fire off Windergate Drive near Old St. Augustine Road. (Copyright 2026 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.)
A neighbor told News4JAX that a baby and an adult were thrown from a second-story window and caught by bystanders below.
Firi confirmed that the 9-year-old managed to break the second-floor window and escape himself.
The mother, identified as Albana Manati from Firi, then threw her 2-month-old to her neighbors below.
Firi said the three children who died were 10-year-old twins Damiano and Gabriel Manati and 2-year-old Arnel Manati.
“Dad is doing much better than mom. The kids right now are still in the ICU, as far as we know. But the dad’s okay. He got discharged. He’s just mentally, obviously, not okay,” Firi said.
“The mom, she’s coughing up lots of black tar and hooked up to machines, but she’s okay. They’ll pull through,” she added.
On Thursday, News4JAX saw some family members back at the home searching through what remained.
They said they were looking for anything they could salvage but found little to nothing left.
Neighbors have left flowers and gifts outside the home as a show of support, honoring the family as they grieve their tremendous loss.
The Manati family, originally from Albania, was described by neighbors as well-liked and deeply loved by the community.
Firi says some of her fondest memories are of family gatherings, with the children running around bringing everyone together.
Loved ones are remembering the Manati family, whose lives were forever changed by an early-morning fire off Windergate Drive near Old St. Augustine Road. (Copyright 2026 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.)
“Our world literally revolved around kids and their activities and birthdays,” she said.
“It literally hurts your heart. But to have it be in your family, it’s devastating. I don’t really have the words,” Firi added.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit are investigating the cause of the fire.
No cause has been determined at this time.
Due to overwhelming support, the family has set up an additional way to donate directly.
A GoFundMe fundraiser for the Manati family has already raised more than $150,000 to help with medical and funeral expenses.
Monetary donations can also be placed in an envelope and dropped off at:
6260 Dupont Station Court, Suite A Jacksonville, FL 32217
Copyright 2026 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.